In this inspiring episode of Women Lead, host Nadia Koski sits down with Natalia Hilgers, Director of Demand Partnerships DACH at Equativ, to explore her journey in tech sales. Natalia opens up about the bold choices and mindset shifts that helped her thrive in a male-dominated space and why she believes women should stop over-proving and start owning their place at the table.

Natalia shares her experiences with impostor syndrome, the importance of recognizing one's strengths, and the boldness required to ask for career advancement. The discussion also touches on the challenges of transitioning into the corporate world, navigating office politics and cultural differences in the workplace. Whether you’re aiming to take a career leap, build authentic leadership habits, or navigate imposter syndrome, this episode is packed with real talk and actionable advice.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Natalia handled bias, self-doubt, and a shocking interview comments early in her career
• Her approach to managing different communication styles as a leader
• Why she believes ambition is a strength, not a liability, for women
• Tips for networking authentically (even if you’re not an extrovert)
• How mentorship shaped her leadership—and why she pays it forward

They discuss the importance of mentorship, networking, and self-reflection in professional growth. Natalia encourages others to take risks and highlights the interconnectedness of our decisions and their impact on humanity.

LINKS & RECS
Connect with Natalia on LinkedIn
There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
Learn more about EQUATIV

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

Nadia Koski sits down with Dagmar Glow, ICF-certified Business and Mental Health Coach, in Part 2 of their interview talks that delves deeper into the critical topic of mental health, particularly in the workplace.

They discuss the stigma surrounding mental health, signs of burnout, and how leaders can balance their responsibilities while maintaining their mental well-being. The conversation also touches on the concept of mental load, personal boundaries, and the challenges women face in leadership roles. Dagmar emphasizes the importance of recognizing signs of distress in colleagues and the need for self-awareness in managing one's own mental health. In this conversation, Dagmar Glow and Nadia explore the themes of perfectionism, unconscious bias, and the challenges women face in the workplace and during midlife transitions.

They discuss the impact of gender bias, the importance of recognizing and addressing unconscious biases, and how midlife can be a time for reflection and change. The conversation emphasizes the need for women to align with their core values and embrace authenticity to find fulfillment in their lives.

LINKS & RECS

Connect with Dagmar Glow

Listen to Part 1 of the Mental Health conversation with Dagmar.

Identify your Top 5 Personal Core Values (for free) with Dagmar’s online quiz:
The is fully anonymous, no personal data is collected: dagmarglow.com

Watch our “Mental Health in a Digital Space” series with Dagmar

Deloitte Mental Health Report 2024

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

In this special double-feature episode recorded amidst the alpine buzz in Lech Zürs, Austria, during The Digital Distillery: Mountain Edition and HORIZONT Snowmasters, host Nadia Koski sits down in the cozy Hotel Platinhoff for some fireside chats with two trailblazing women shaping innovation and leadership across industries.

You'll learn about: building internal and external mentorship networks, leadership styles for introverts vs. extroverts, sustainable design and local supply chain, what it takes to launch a startup, and the learned resilience to pivot into something new.

Alma Lipa, CDMO DACH L’Oréal, shares her 20-year journey through the beauty industry, from launching Urban Decay in Germany to leading L’Oréal's digital marketing strategy across DACH. She opens up about mentorship, ambition, building strong teams, and why passion and people are at the heart of real success.

Alma's Top Takeaways:

• Loving the brands you work with makes the difference.
• Don’t wait to ask for mentorship—reach out early and often.
• True leadership is about generous guidance and collective growth.
• Identify your strengths and share those with your mentors.

Carolin Kunert, Innovation Manager HEAD, opens up about her career journey from welding her first product prototype as a design student to founding a successful (and sold) startup. Carolin’s story is one of rapid iteration, bold decisions, and learning through doing. Now leading innovation at HEAD, she’s implementing agile processes and fostering cross-team collaboration across the company.

Carolin's Startup Wisdom:

• “If everything is under control, you’re moving too slow.”
• Launch fast, learn fast—test your ideas and get to market.
• Think twice before taking VC money, it’s not the only path to growth.

DISCOVER & CONNECT

Connect with Alma Lipa on LinkedIn
Connect with Carolin Kunert on LinkedIn

Discover your strengths: CliftonStrengths Assessment

Learn more about the HORIZONT Snowmasters 2025 edition.
Learn more about upcoming The Digital Distillery Events.

Discover Lech Zürs, Austria
Discover Hotel Platinhoff

Get in touch with Obsession - Germany’s Top Event Agency

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

In this episode of Women Lead, Nadia Koski sits down with Gerry D'Angelo, Advisory Board Member and Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company, to explore the evolving landscape of leadership and the importance of empathy, inclusivity, and mentorship in today's workplace.
Gerry shares insights from his extensive experience in global companies, highlighting how effective leadership has shifted towards a more empathetic approach. They discuss the critical role of listening and allyship in fostering inclusivity, as well as the tangible business benefits of a diverse workforce. Gerry also reflects on his own journey with mentorship and the impact it can have on emerging leaders. They explore the nuances of mentorship, the importance of serendipity in career development, male allyship in the workplace, and the significance of work-life balance in fostering inspiration and creativity.

LINKS
Connect with Gerry D'Angelo on LinkedIn
"The Rest Is" podcast series - The Rest is History

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

In this conversation, host Nadia Koski chats with Cristina Pitarch, General Manager EMEA, Google Cloud Security. Cristina shares her unconventional career journey from law to tech, emphasizing the importance of embracing opportunities and overcoming challenges. She discusses her experiences in a technical role at Google, the significance of mindset in navigating corporate politics, and the need for resilience in the face of setbacks. She also highlights the importance of allyship and encourages women to pursue careers in tech and cybersecurity, emphasizing that learning and creativity can thrive in these fields. In this engaging conversation, Nadia and Cristina explore the evolving landscape of AI and cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of integrating security into AI projects. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in tech, the significance of empowering the next generation, and the need for role models in the industry. Cristina shares personal insights on parenting and the importance of allowing children to be themselves while navigating societal expectations. The discussion also touches on the necessity of addressing gender dynamics in tech.

Links and recs:

Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

Nadia Koski sits down with Dagmar Glow, an ICF-certified Business and Mental Health Coach, to explore the intricate relationship between mental health and workplace dynamics. Dagmar emphasizes that mental health is not just the absence of illness but a dynamic state that affects learning, communication, emotional resilience, and adaptability.

The conversation highlights the growing need for organizations to support mental health, particularly as burnout rates rise and younger generations bring new expectations to the workforce. With burnout costing the global economy $323 billion annually and contributing to 50% of employee turnover, prioritizing mental well-being is both a moral and business imperative.

Nadia and Dagmar unpack the differences between stress, overwork, and burnout, emphasizing the importance of recognizing early signs and fostering open communication within teams. They explore the critical role of managers in creating a supportive environment and the necessity of ongoing dialogue about mental health resources. Dagmar also shares practical steps individuals and companies can take to integrate mental health awareness into daily workflows, ensuring a more resilient and productive workforce.

As Gen Z steps into leadership roles, their emphasis on work-life balance, emotional well-being, and transparent mental health discussions is reshaping workplace culture. Businesses that adapt to these evolving expectations will not only attract top talent but also create stronger, more engaged teams.

Join the conversation as Nadia and Dagmar challenge outdated workplace norms, break down the stigma surrounding mental health, and share actionable strategies to prevent burnout and promote well-being.

LINKS & RECS

Connect with Dagmar Glow

Identify your Top 5 Personal Core Values (for free) with Dagmar’s online quiz:
The is fully anonymous, no personal data is collected: dagmarglow.com

Watch our “Mental Health in a Digital Space” series with Dagmar

Deloitte Mental Health Report 2024

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

In this special episode of Women Lead, recorded live at our first Digital Distillery: Women’s Edition - Hamburg, host Nadia Koski hops on the mic with many incredible leaders who discussed bold ideas in candid conversations. There are so many powerful insights and takeaways from these top women in media, tech, and advertising. You don’t want to miss it!

Instead of traditional long-form interviews, Nadia hit the floor capturing quick, impactful conversations with our panelists and guests who discussed:
- Career advice they’d give their younger selves
- How they’ve tackled imposter syndrome & inner doubts
- Ways we can ALL build a more inclusive and diverse workplace… and much more.

You’ll hear from: Yasemin Efiloglu, Digital Strategist & AI Expert, Volt Europa, Julia Wittich Sauer, Head of News & Broadcast DACH, Google, Kathrin Franssen, CMO, OMD, Katharina Jäger, Head of Innovation & Technology, BVDW, Nathalia Hilgers, Director Demand Partnerships DACH, Equativ, Franziska Brückner, Group Lead Digital Media & Tech, Vodafone, Lena Schütze, Team Lead Client Services & Consulting, DOUGLAS, Sarah Kurzrock, Senior Client Partner DACH, Pinterest, Griselda Welsing, Lead Client Partner CPG, Pinterest, Antonia Breitenfellner, Executive Activation Search SEO, OMD, Daniela Grilnberger, Group Head Communications Design. Initiative, and Anika Stasch, Account Director, ShowHeroes.

Don’t miss our full Digital Distillery podcast with host Phil McDowell, where we’ll break down even more key insights from the event.

Links and recs:

Connect with
Yasemin Efiloglu
Julia Wittich Sauer
Kathrin Franssen
Katharina Jäger
Nathalia Hilgers
Franziska Brückner
Lena Schütze
Sarah Kurzrock
Griselda Welsing
Antonia Breitenfellner
Daniela Grilnberger
Anika Stasch

Tune in and follow THE DIGITAL DISTILLERY PODCAST.

McKinsey's 2023 Report on DE&I efforts and effect on revenue.
The likelihood of financial outperformance gap has grown with top-quartile companies having a 39% greater likelihood of financial outperformance versus their bottom-quartile peers.

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

In this episode of the Women Lead podcast, host Nadia Koski speaks with Mya Doelling, Senior Partnership Manager, Purpose Partnerships Lead at the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Maya shares her inspiring journey from a young athlete diagnosed with leukemia to her current role at the IOC, where she leads purpose-driven partnerships. The conversation explores the power of sports, the importance of mentorship, and how Maya aligns her personal and professional passions. They discuss the challenges of navigating leadership as a woman in the sports industry and the significant initiatives being implemented at the IOC, including gender parity and support for refugee athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In this conversation, Mya and Nadia discuss the evolving landscape of sports, focusing on inclusivity, empowerment, and the challenges faced by women, particularly women of color, in leadership roles. They explore the importance of allyship, the balance between personal and professional life, and the vision for a purpose-driven future in sports. The dialogue emphasizes the need for mental health discussions, representation, and the impact of supportive partnerships in achieving gender parity and diversity in sports.

Links and recs:

Connect with Mya on LinkedIn

Podcast recs:

Esther Perel’s podcast “Where Should We Begin”

“Pivot” with Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher

Follow the International Olympic Committee across social media:

Twitter – @iocmedia

LinkedIn – @International Olympic Committee – IOC

Instagram –@iocmedia

YouTube – @IOC Media

Produced and Hosted by Nadia Koski
Engineered by Phil McDowell
Project Lead Dennis Kirschner

You can contact the show at womenleadpodcast@the-digital-distillery.com
or go to the website.

Find us on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram